Control device for well tools



NOV. 18, 1952 MEYER 2,613,342

CONTROL DEVICE FOR WELL TOOLS Filed Sept. 3, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet l JMZlya ATTORNEY Nov. 18, 1952 MEYER 2,618,342

CONTROL DEVICE FOR WELL TOOLS Filed Sept. 3, 1946 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 HTTOENE) M w w w W a z N 7 7 7 A7 A if 7 m 3 Q M e M I a 3 I W. W Q 0 #J 5 7 B W 6 4 7% c w a x 2 W 5 W 9 5 6 1. 4 :4/ W /w ,4 r 4/; J, /7 f r 4 O 4p! Q Q w m 7/ 7 /7 7/7 ax 5 4; a 4

Nov. 18, 1952 G. MEYER CONTROL DEVICE FOR WELL TOOLS I5 Sheets-shewv 5 Filed Sept. 3, 1946 HTTOIZNEV Patented Nov. 18, 1952 Gerhard Meyer, .Los Angeles, Calif., assignor to Lane-Wells Company, Los .Angeles, cane, a corporation of Delaware Application September 3, 1946,,Seria'l No.'694,i471

This invention relates to well apparatus and moreparticularly to control devices for such apparatus designed for remote sub-surface actuationand manipulation in well bore holes.

device, and this tends to unscrew the joints and may possibly result in the disconnection of one or more of the tubing or drill pipe sections. 5. The

turning of the tubing or drill pipes counter to the threaded couplings is particularly dangerous in 14 Claims. (01. 166 12) a crookedwell bore hole or'under other conditions which impose 'relati-velyhigh frictional resistance to the rotation of the tubing or pipe. JMany long and costly fishing operations have resulted from Control devices have long been used in connec- 5 the disconnection of couplings under the foregotion with a variety of tools and apparatus deing conditions. signed for subsurface operations and installations It is,'therefore, an object of the present invenin well bore holes. One of the best known of such tion to eliminate the hereinbefore mentioned control devices is the so-called J pin and slot ardangers by providing a well apparatus'controlderangement employed in connection with the convice which can be actuated throughout its full trol cage apparatus usually associated with varicycle of operation without'the necessity for turnous types of packers, liner hangers, and the like ing the tubular string-or drillpipe upon which it devices. Such J pin slot types of control means is S p d in a d rection tending to loosen or and the like lock and latch mechanisms are usuc w he C p ally employed to position and to maintain certain 10 t is another object of the p i v tio elements of the apparatus or tool in given relative to provide a Well pp s tro device Which positions at certain times such as that, for excan be actuated throughout its full y le P- ample, required during the running-in'of a'given eletlve Steps y rotation-0f the tubing or drill 'tool into the well casing, and the subsequent P p String in one direetien ymanipulation thereof while in a remote'location A Still further Obj ct of the invention is to within the Well to release certain elements "re- D 'e' pp s ee llrol device Similar quired to permit a given action or operation in t0 the conventional J yp of latching ev c i th 11, h for m t t th 11 of a which the parts can be actuated betweenlatched packer or liner, control a valve, or other flow I Imlaliehed Desition by e s o rotation of de i e, or fi a perforator gun the tubular supporting string in one direction In control devices, such as the J pin and slot 3- e latching mechanism as heretofore employed in other Objects, advantages. a d features of connection with hook wall type of packers, for novelty will be evident hereineflier- I example, it has been more or less conventional In the drawings, Which Show by ay Of i spractice to design such apparatus to be actuated to l Preferred embodiments of the invention by turning'the running-in tubing string or pipe and in which like reference numerals designate upon which the tool is suspended in the well bore h same Similar parts throughout t e Several hole to the right and to the left to respectively news: 1 place it-in the latched and unlatched condition. Figure lpvis a n it dinal View partially in ele- The reverse order of action may obtain infcertain Vation and pa ly in Section illustrating the 'cases, but, in any-event, with the conventional genera-l assemblyef the apparatus of vlatching mechanism, it is usually necessary to lien as it may be employed in connectionwith "turn the tubing or drill'string to the left at some conveniieml Well casing D r a d win its stage of the manipulation thereof in the well. appearance While being run into a wel cas n The tubing or drill pipe strings upon which such 4.0 F t0 l apparatus are uspended are usuany made up Of Figure 2 is an enlarged, longitudinal section sections coupled together by right-hand threaded 9 the control device P i of Figure 1, wjoints. Less frequently, left-hand threaded joints vmg one phase in its Operation -may be employed for certain purposes, but re- Figure 3 is a View Of the Same ppara s a 'gardless of the type of the threaded connections that Shown in Figure 2 but Showing no her employed, whether right-hand or left-hand, the Phase in its ope ati n. turning of the tubing string in the direction cp- Figure 4 13 a View Of the Same appa a 1 .1 posite to the hand of the threads employed in the meted in Figure 1, but showing its pp a e couplings is necessary at some stage of the manipafter being set in a Well cas ulation of the conventional J slot type of control Figure 5 is .a fragmentary, detail development of the control device slot arrangement of Figures 2 and 3 and showing an added modification thereto.

Figure 6 is a fragmentary, longitudinal section taken on line 6--6 of Figure 5.

Figure '7 is a cross-sectional view taken on line 'I-'I of Figure 2.

Figure 8 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on line 88 of Figure 5.

Figure 9 is an enlarged developed sectional View taken on line 9-9 of Figure 7.

Referring now primarily to Figures 1 and 2, the type of well packer which is shown at P, by way of illustration, in connection with the control device C of this invention, is substantially identical to that shown and described in the patent issued to Renouf, No. 2,005,955, issued June 25, 1935. The beforementioned well packer P is adapted to be run into a well bore or casing I on the end of a suitable pipe or tubing string which may be attached through a suitable coupling, as shown at II, to the upper end of the ,j tubular mandrel I2 of the packer, The mandrel inbefore mentioned, comprises briefly, a plurality of annular packer rings as shown at I3 encircling a cylindrical or tubular packer ring sleeve I4 which is, in turn, threadedly coupled at I5 at its upper end to a packer valve seat member I6.

The upper, inner edge of the valve seat member I6 is provided with a bevelled surface II adapted to receive in sealing engagement the lower bevelled surface I8 of a valve head I9. The valve head I9 is formed integrally with the beforementioned coupling II which is suspended from the tubing as hereinbefore mentioned.

The lowermost position of the cage sleeve 35 relative to the slip expander is also determined by means of a plurality of longitudinally disposed interconnecting hold-down bolts 3'I which are threaded into the upper side of the slip rein ring I133, and extend upward into cylindrical recesses in the lower end of the slip expander with limited freedom for longitudinal sliding motion therein sufiicient for the required setting move- The packer slip control and cage assembly C ,which embodies in its construction the specific features of the invention, comprises the beforementioned tubular cage sleeve which is shaped with upper and lower sections and 4|, respecjtively, of reduced external diameter as compared to'an intermediate portion 42, thereby forming at the points of change of diameter oppositely facing annular shoulders as shown at 43 and 44.

A'clutch flange is fastened at threads 45 to the lower end of the lower section II of the cage sleeve.

The upper exposed annular face of said flange opposite the beforementioned sleeve annular ratch, as shown at 41.

A pair of cage spring collars'5il and 5| are retained in encircling position with limited free dom for longitudinal sliding motion upon the beforementioned upper and lower sections 45 and 4I','respectively, of the cage sleeve 35 adjacent the An annular retaining nut 20 is slidably positioned around the lower end of the packing ring I sleeve I4 and is retained thereon at its lowermost position as shown, by means of an offset annular shoulder 2| formed at the lower end of the sleeve. The lower, annular surface of the valve seat member I6, and the upper annular surface of the retaining nut 20, serve as means for applying longitudinal compressive force to the packer rings I3 to deform or expand them into sealing position between the packer sleeve I4 and a surrounding casing.

'A slip expander 25 is threadedly connected at v 26 with the beforementioned retaining nut 20 and turn, when the packer is unset, rests upon and is supported by an ofiset annular shoulder 28:

formed at an intermediate section of the said mandrel.

.shoulders 43 and 44. The lower collar 5i is retained with limited freedom for longitudinal sliding motion between the shoulder 44 and the flange 45, upon the lower section H of the cage limit of such sliding motion being shown in Figures 1, 3, and 4, and the lower limit in Figure 2. The flange 45 is provided with a plurality of downwardly facing serrations forming an annular ratch as shown at 52=whichis complementary to'and adapted to make one-way clutching engagement with the before'mentioned lower, up-

wardly facing annular ratch 41.

The upper and lower cage collars 53 and 52 are resiliently interconnected by suitable drag #means which, in the present-case, comprise a plurality of outwardly bowing cage springs 53,

' the intermediate portions of which are adapted The slip expander 25 is provided with a plu.

rality of sloping, dove-tailed slip guides as shown at 30 adapted to slidably retain and support in each, a wedge-shaped wickered slip as shown at 3|. Each of the slips 3I is linked by means of a slip rein 32 we slip rein ring 33 which is, in turn, rotatably retained within an external, an-

nular groove as shown at 34 formed near the upper end of a cylindrical cage sleeve 35. The cage sleeve 35 is carried on the lower end portion of the beforementioned mandrel I2, with freedom for concentric or coaxial rotational and longitudinal sliding motion thereon, except for thelimitations indirection and extent of such slid able motion relative to the mandrel which are to make frictional engagement with the inside wall surface of a well bore' 'or casing as shown at 543 The upper and lower ends of the cage spring ation of the device of the" invention when it is imposed upon it, as hereinafter more fully described, by a pair of setting pins or guide members 36 which are fixed at diametrically opposite moved through the well, as hereinafter more fully explained in connection with the operation.

Referring again to the middle section 42 of the cage sleeve 35, a system of interconnected guide slots is formed therein,- constituting a circumfen entially or circumambiently continuous guide path adapted to cooperate with the beforementioned setting pins 36 to eifect control of the relative motion and the locking and unlocking action between the sleeve 35 and the packer mandrel I2. The sleeve section 42 thus has a pair of diametriaaaaaaa msitionedi. longitudinal: slotst 5'8: from arrint'ennediat ersectionofaeach ofiitheselongitudi: nal slotszanzupwardly branchingzdiagonal:orhelh call-slot: 5.9.2 extends; The upper end. portion of each. 1ongitudinal slot is: joined. with: the: upp ends. portion. of: each; opposite helical slot. by an areuate; oircumferentiallyr directed: channel; 60 formed.inzthecinnerzsurface: of the: sleeve. portion 4% 'Ilhe; upper; end. of: each longitudinal; slots; 5.8 at; the point. of juncture: with: its; corresponding arcuatezchannel'fi o' isiwidenedtu form a.rectangu:-. lan'recess: or aperturmas shownzatr62; adaptedto receive-alatch block.:63 intherlower portionz-theree off '-ll.hezlatchhi0cksst3.;aresupportedzinttherapen tures. 62 with: clearance: therefrom? and: limited freedom :for: lateral; deflection, .eachisucl'n support being' reffectedx by: mean'szofl aileaf springtBZ'. The leafzjspring 65:.may; be' attached: to: the-outer surfacerofii the-latch blockt fifl, as :bestashown at in Eigurea 6;. by. any suitablemeans: such.;.a-s',. for: ex ample, by spot, gas, or arc weldingr, .and'therl'ower endf-ofi eaclr such-leaf spring k65may1be bolted" or screwed? at its; lower: end. to: the exterior of the sleeve: through laterally; extending: wing projec tionskwhich. bridgeithet slotv as vrshow-n atitl; The leaf? spring. member 65' is preferablybowed". out ward-slightly. as-bestishown: atat iis in Iii'g-ure 6', in

orderto clear the longitudinal; slot for-all positi'ons. of the; latch block: 63-; and to impart slight longitudinal ideflectability to thelatch block within; the aperture- 62 upon: application of top -load ing theretm by-means-of the setting. pin 35; as hereinafter-described inconnection-with-tho operationn The: outeriace -oi" each latch-blocki-tll iis I provided with at pair of laterally -extending stop tabs- 69 which limit: theinward motion of the blockinto theapert'ure- BZ undertheinwardly ap plied, forceof the' leaf-springsupport65 -2 The inner -face -of 'eaclr latchblock 63 is formed witha bevelled' surfaced adapted to -coa'ct': with thei outer end of the -setti'ng: pinwhezr-the' setting pirris moved upwardagainst it to deflect the latch block" outward; to-permit upward passage of said. setting pin from' the longitudinal slot: into the'uppen portion oithe-aperture 62- to a latched i position thereaboveatthe entrance of-thecircumferential channe-l fr0m= which it" cannot return;

retrograde movement; into the longitudinal part;- as best 'shown'inhigures l, 2*, 5, and fii The ably 1 formed each with asaddle-hire depression;- as shown at 'H- iKFigure S; adapted to -serve--as'= a retaining seat for the settin pins 35"; and" the lower surfaces" of the beforementioned arcuate chahnels' 6 0 interconnecting -'the"-upperends- 0f the laterally extending; wing; members Whichbridge thezsiot, as. .shown:at1 in figures?) and; 8:. The

inner faceof therlatch block HLis formed witina" bevelled. surface as best'gshownatv 1;! imEigure; 8i

7 setting pin: 38 and. reverse rotation-off the.s1eev,e

.diagonalislot 5:9, isprovidediwith a containing re- 8.2-and 835 serve as supports for'receivinganyupward thrustwhich may, under some. conditions;

be: imposed upon the latch block 'Mby: the set+ ting. pin 36; The latchblocki i'; however, not.- mallyv'is supported by the leaf spring I5 with suff, ficient clearance'from theshoulders SZ and 83 't'o permit-free lateral deflection thereof; A stop-tab member 85 'attached'to the outer face'ofthe latch block- '15 and extending, outward over the margina-I portion of the latch block recess 8i 2 serves to limit andidetermine' the inward position'of the latch block;

The" operation of the apparatus is as follows'z The assembly comprising the packer P andthe control cageC arelowered into the casing ID, as

shown in-Figure 1, with ,thesetting pins seated I ing lii will'cause the cage assembly to lag or move upward with respect-to the cage sleeve 42, carry- I ing the: cage collar 51 to its uppermost position" against the shoulder 44 and thereby main taining disengagement of the opposite ratchet clutch el'ementsiM, 52, asshownin Figure 1. The; downward force necessary to-overcomethe'slid' ingf friction of the cage springs 53 within the we ing': I01 will at. this time during lowering: of the apparatus; be transmitted from the mandrel'i 12 -latch 'blocks- 63' and thence through either" the throughthe settingv pins 38 to the top of the leaf? springs 65, or, if' excessive, through: the fbrcedseatingc'ontact' of thebottom of thelatch blocks: 53 with the adjacent shoulders formed'on wailfl'latching mechanisms 18- in the diagon'ab or 1 spiitalislots' 5'9 similar 'to-those employed at 63 65 ln'thelongitudinal'slots56: Each latching-mechanismr- I-3-- comprises a" latch block Hi and a leaf men spring-152 Theleaf' spring 15 maybe at" tached to the outer surface of the-'1atch'-b1ock T4 byany-suitabl'e means such as, for example, by spot; g=as; or arc-welding; and the-end of theleaf spring opposite to -the' latch block: may be bolt'ed ar -screwed t'o-the exterior of the sleeve through either side of the slots 58' in the" bottomjof' the latchblock recesses 62, to the cagesleeve.

Advantages of thus providing: for transferring the-"setting pin iorces'fromthe latch .block toth'e this case, comprises'leaf springsttz When the point: in the casing is reached, at

which'it is desired to set the packer, thelowering of the: packer P on" the run-in. string: is stopped and the' tubing and the mandrel I2 are-then elevated a short distance sufiicient to raise'f-the setting pins 36 off the latch blocks 63 andto move them to supporting positions at the tops of the latch block recesses 62, as shown at 361) in Figure 2, thereby lifting the cage sleeve 35 upward relative to the cage spring assembly, thereby bringing the opposite ratchet clutch elements I", 52, into coupling engagement with one another, as illustrated in Figure 2. As just stated, by 'this elevating motion the setting pins 36 are raised off of the saddles Ill of the latch blocks 63 and brought up into supporting position against the top of the apertures 62, as shown at 36b in Figure 2 and at this position, the pins 36 sustainthe weight of the cage sleeve 35, the slip ring. 33, slip reins 32, and the slips 3| coupled thereto. r Immediately following this, the tubing and the mandrel I2 are moved rotationally ina righthand direction through an angle sufficient to carry the setting pins 36 around from their latched positions above latch blocks 63 shown at 36b in Figure 2, through the arcuate channels 60 to positions adjacent the upper ends of the helical slots 59 as shown in dotted lines at 630, at which point they are stopped in their rotational movement by abutment with the vertical end walls I8 of the arcuate channels 66 adjoining the top entrances to the said spiral slots. Meanwhile, the cage sleeve 35 is held stationary within the casing by reason of its being coupled through the engaged ratchet clutch 41, 52 to the cage springs which are, in turn, in frictionalengagement with the inside surfaces of the surrounding bore hole wall or casing I 6. Next, theltubing and the mandrel I2 are-lowered a- 'sufiicient distance to carry the setting pins 36 downward into the spiral slots 59 from the position shown at 360 in Figure 2 to the position indicated at 36d in Figure 3, and thence on downward into the lower portion of the vertical slot 58 to some such position as that illustrated in dotted lines at 36e in Figures 3 and 4. I

Upon commencement of the lowering -.of the mandrel I2 for movement of the setting pins 36 down into the spiral slots 59, the cage comprising springs 53 and collars 50 and 5| momentarily remain stationary within the bore hole creasing I by'reason of the supporting frictional engagement of said springs 53 with the inside wall surface thereof, thereby permitting the cage sleeve 35 to move downward relative to thecage sleeve until the cage sleeve shoulder 44 is lowered into contact with the upper end of the, cage collar thereby disengagi g the ratchet clutch elements 41, 52 as shown in Figures 3- and 4; I In this position, the assembly comprising the a control cage sleeve 35, the slip ring 33, slip reins. 32 and the slips 3| is supported within the well or casing by the frictional engagement of the cage springs with the inside surface of the well wall or casing ID. The disengagement of the clutch 41, 52 frees the cage sleeve 35 for free rotation relative to both the mandrel I2 and the cage springs 53, whereby the continued downward motion of the setting pins 36 through the spiral slots 59 is accomplished without imparting rotation to either the mandrel I2 or to the cage springs 53 within the casing I9, but,;,instead,

panied by right-hand rotation of the tubing and mandreljactually only the cage is necessarily imparted the required left-hand rotation.

Continued downward motion of the mandrel next serves to lower the slip expander 25 into the wickered slips 3|, thereby causing the slips 3| to move outward along the wedging surfaces of the slip cone 25 into gripping engagement with the inside surface of the casing as shown in Figure 4. Still further downward motion of the tubing and the mandrel next moves the valve head I9 and'the valve surface I8 into sealing engagement with the valve seat II, after which downward weight or pressure applied through the tubing compresses the packer rings I3 between the lower annular surface of the valve seat I6 and the upper surface of the'retaining nut 26 and thereby expands them into sealing engagement with the inside surface of the casing as shown in Figure 4 in the manner conventional with packers of this type.

When the packer is set andsealing engagement betweenthe packer rings- I3 and the inside surface of the casing is effected, the setting pins will have assumed a position in the lower end portion of the vertical slot 58 in the cage sleeve portion 42, as shown at 36a in Figures 3 and 4.

- 3 and 4 to the latched position shown at 36b inFigure 1, the valve head I9 is first lifted from the valve seat .11 thereby removing the compressive weight from the packer rings I3, after which the continued elevation of the-mandrel I2 will cause the shoulder 28 of the mandrel I2 to be elevated into contact withthe lower end of the slip expander 25 and the slip expander thereby raised and withdrawn from the slips 3|. The

slips 3| and the packer ring are thus released i from their gripping engagement with the casing and the whole assembly comprising the packer P, and the control cage C may then be moved up or down the casing to a new setting, position. or removed from the well, as desired If it is again desired to set the packer, the tubing and the mandrel I2 are then againrotated a short dis,

tance in a right-hand direction from the position shown in Figures 1 and 2, and the process herein-.

before described repeated for again setting the packer in thecasing.

In the alternative form of the apparatus in which the added latching mechanisms I3 are employed in the diagonal or helical slots 59, the action of the latch block 14 is'such as to permit the setting pins to move downward through thehelical slots 59 over the bevelled surfaces 11 of the latch. blocks 14 and into the intermediate portion of the longitudinal slots 58, but-by their latching action prevents the setting pins 36 from inadvertently returning'upon upward movement thereof to the helical or diagonal slots 59. l v

With either of the alternative versions of the apparatus illustrated in Figures 1 to 4 or that embodying the added latching mechanism, as

illustrated inFigure 5, it is to be. noted that permits only complete right-hand rotation of v the mandrel and the setting pins 36 with. respect to the cage sleeve 35. It is, therefore, obvious that the setting pins 36 maybe moved from locked. position; as shown in Figures 1 and .2, to unlocked position, as shown in. Figure 3, and

return to the locked positionv through rotation" of the tubing string and the mandrel [2 in the same direction which, in the foregoing example, isaright-handor clockwise direction as viewed from above. Such rotation, of course, must be accompanied by the longitudinal. motion required to follow the slots, as hereinbefore' described; Obviously. ifv desired, the device may .be similarly designed to permit only complete left-hand actuating rotation of the mandrel relative to the, cage' sleeve. This latter arrangement might. be desirable under some circumstances where, for example, the pipe string upon which the aclser ci -othertool. to be controlled in this. manner is. lowered, employs left-hand threads in its couplings or other similar parts.

This. invention is illustrated in its preferred embodiment, as employing two diametrically positionedsetting pins in the mandrel and a double set of longitudinal and. branching diagohal slots correspondingly diametrically positioned in the cage sleeve for receiving the two opposite setting pins. However, if desired, only;

one setting pin in the mandrel .and. only one set of the combined longitudinal and branching diagonal slots may be employed with the circum-: ferential channel extended. to interconnect the the outer concentric cage sleeve carrying the slot 1 in which the setting pins are adapted to slide, but, obviously, a reversalof the'relative positions of the setting pin and slotted sleeve may be effected, within the scope of the invention and without. altering its principle of operation, thereby placingthe setting pins 36 in the outer sleeve membet and the slots in the inner concentric sleeve.

The:- terms guide slot and pin have been: employed herein in connection with the illustration of the preferred embodiment and inthe claims, but it is notintended to thus limit the invention, for; any equivalent cam structure may be substituted for the slot and any suitable equivalent guide member or follower means maybe substiv tuted for the pins without departing from the invention;

As herei-nbefore mentioned, the apparatus of this invention is shown by way ofillustration as operation of a valve or flow device or for theii ring o-f' a gun perforator located within the depths of a-rpro'ducing' well,- by similar manipulation of? the tubing.

The control device of this invention may also be employed in an inverted position, relative to that illustrated in the drawings, for use incom nection with packer hold-down apparatus and the like tools without material: deviation from 10 the principle of operation or. tures. of the invention.

It is to be understood that the. foregoing, is illustrative only,.and that the invention is not limited thereby, but may include various modifications and changes which may be made by those skilled in the art Without departing. from the spirit and scope of the. invention as. defined in the appended claims.

l Awell apparatus control device comprising: a pair of concentric, cylindrical members rota.- tionally and longitudinally slidable with respect to'onei another; a continuous guide slot extendingv around. one of said members; a pin fixed in the other of said members and extending slidably into said guide slot; said slot having a longitudinal part, a separate diagonal part branch-- ing .from an intermediate portion of said lon'g1- the essential fea tudinalpart, and a circumferential part. extend-- ing" from said longitudinal part and comprising a said pin at the end of said longitudinal part in the entrance of said circumferential part to p're vent saidpin from returning therefrom into' said longitudinalpart other'tha'n through said circum---v ferentia-l and diagonal parts but permitting; said pin to move. laterally therefrom into the said circumferential and diagonal parts.

2. A well apparatus control device comprising:

a pair of concentric, cylindrical members rota tionall y and longitudinally slidable. with respect to: one another; a continuous guideslot extending, around one of said members; a pin' fixed in the other of said members and extending. slidably into the-said guide slot-said slot having. a longitudinal part, a diagonalv part branching from an intermediate portion of said longitudinal part, and. a circumferential part" extending from said longitudin'al part and forming a circumambient inter;- connectionbetween the adjacent ends of? said longitudinal and diagonal parts a. one-way latching means in said diagonal part adapted to allow passage of said pin throughout said diagonal part in one direction from the intermediate portion of said circumferential parttosaid longitudinal partbut preventing retrograde passage of saidpin from said longitudinal part through said diagonal part to said circumferential part,

3'. A well apparatus control device comprising:

a pair of concentric; cylindrical members 'r'o'tationally and longitudinally slidable with respect an; intermediate portion of said longitudinal apart,

and a: circumferential part forming at least-a,

portion of apart circumambiently interconnectingi'th'e adjacent end portions of said longitudinal and diagonal parts a one-way latching means: i-nthe: endiportion of said longitudinalpart adjacent the juncture. thereof. with. said circumferential part adapted to lock. said? pin at the entrance of. said circumferential partat the end portion of said. longitudinal part.- to prevent itfrom-returning into said longitudinal partotherstha-n through said circumferential and diagonal Parts: butpermitting-said. pin. to move laterally from, said; longitudinal part: into said circumferential part, and a one-way latching means in said diagonal part adapted to allow passage of said pin through said diagonal part in one direction from said circumferential part to. said longitudinal part but preventing retrograde passage of said pin from said longitudinal part through said diagonal part to said circumferential part.

4; In a well apparatus control device, apparatus comprising: a pair of concentric sleeve members rotationally and longitudinally movable with respect to one another; a continuous guide slot extending continuously around one of said members; a pin fixed in the other of said members and extending slidably into the said guide slot, said slot having a longitudinal part, a diagonal part branching from a portion of said longitudinal part and a circumferential part below the upper end thereof and extending between and circumambiently interconnecting the adjacent ends of said longitudinal and diagonal parts, the rotational and longitudinal movement of said sleeve members relative to one another being thereby limited to that permitted by movement of said pin along said slot; a first collar rotationally and longitudinally slidably supported coaxially on an upper portion of the outermost one of said sleeve members; a second collar rotationally and longitudinally slidably supported coaxially, on the lower portion of the outermost one of said sleeve members; a plurality of outwardly bowed, resilient members interconnecting said collars, ,said outwardly bowed members being adapted to make dragging engagement with the inside surface of a surrounding wall; a first clutch element on one of said collars; and a second clutch element fixed to the outermost one of said sleeve members, said first and second clutch elements being movable into coupling engagement with one another to resist relative rotation between said outermost one of said sleeve members and said one of said collars when said outermost sleeve member is moved longitudinally relative to said collars in a direction opposite to that in which said longitudinal part of said guide slot extends away from said circumferential part thereof, and said clutch elements being movable out of engagement with one another to permit relative rotation therebetween when said outermost sleeve member is moved longitudinally in the opposite direction with respect to said collars.

5. Apparatus according to claim 4 and in which the said first and second clutch elements are provided with complementary ratchet-shaped teeth adapted, when in'engagement, t effect positive; non-rotational coupling with one another to hold said outer sleeve member against rotation relative to :said one of said collars in the'direction in'which said circumferential part of said slot extends around said one of said sleeve members from the end of the longitudinal part towardth'e adjacent end of the diagonal part.

'6. In awell apparatus control device, apparatus comprising: a pair of coaxial members coaxially rotatable and longitudinally slidable with respect to one another: a guide slot in one of said mem-V bers; a pin fixed in the other of said members and extending slidably into the said guide slot, said slot having a longitudinal part and a circumferential part, the rotational and longitudinal movement of said members relative to one another being thereby limited to that permitted by movement of said pin along said slot; drag means operatively'connected to said members and coaxially rotatable and longitudinally-movable with respect thereto, said drag. means being adapted to frictionally engage the inside surface of a stirrounding wall; clutch means carried by said device and operative upon relative longitudinal slid? ing movement of said one of said members relative to said drag means in a direction opposite to that in which said longitudinal part of saidguide slot extends away from said circumferential part thereof, to couple said drag means to said one of said members to resist relative rotation between said drag means and said one of said members, and disengageable upon relative longitudinal sliding movement in the opposite direction of said one of said members relative to said drag means to release said clutch means to permit relative rotation between said drag means and said one of said members; and means to impart longitudinal and rotational movement to said other of said pair of members. 1

7. In a well apparatus control device, apparatus comprising: inner and outer coaxial cylindrical members rotationally and longitudinally slidable with respect to one another, the inner one of said members being adapted to be connected to a pipe 7 string; a continuous guide slot extending around one of said members, said slothaving a longitudinal part, a diagonal part branching from any intermediate portion of said longitudinal part, and a circumferential part extending between and cir- I cumambiently interconnecting the adjacent ends of said longitudinal and diagonal parts; a guide member fixed in the other of said cylindrical members and extending slidably into said guide slot, the rotational and longitudinal movement ofsaid coaxial cylindrical members relative to one another being thereby limited to that permitted by movement of said guide member along said guide slot; drag means carried by one of said cylindrical members and coaxially rotatable andlongitudinally movable with respect thereto, said: drag means being adapted to frictionally engage the inside surface of a surrounding wall; and

clutch means on said device engageable to make coupling between said drag means and the outer one of said cylindrical members to resist relative rotation between said drag means and said outer one of said cylindrical members when saidouter one of said cylindrical members is moved longi tudinally relative to said drag means in a direction opposite to that in which said longitudinal part of the guide slot extends away from said circumferential part. and to disengage said coupling when said outer one of said cylindrical members is moved relative to said drag means in the opposite direction.

8. Apparatus in accordance with claim '7, and in which the said clutch means is a one-Way de-- vice adapted to hold said outer cylindrical member against rotation relative to said drag means in the direction in which said circumferential part-of the guide slot extends around said one of said cylindrical members from the end of the longitudinal part toward the adjacent end ofthe. diagonal part of said slot, and to permit rotationof said outer cylindrical member relative tosaid,

drag means in the opposite direction.

9. Apparatus in accordance with claim 8, and a one-way latching means in said diagonal'partv of said guide slot, adapted to allow passage ofsaid guide member throughout said diagonal part in one direction directly from said circumferem. tial part to the intermediate portion of said longi tudinal part but preventingretrograde passage.

of said guide member from said longitudinal part directly through said diagonal part to said cir; cumferentialpart; j

10. Apparatus in accordance with claim '7, and a one-way latching mean in the end of said longitudinal part of said guide slot, adjacent the juncture thereof with said circumferential part, adapted to lock said guide member at the end of said longitudinal part in the entrance of said circumferential part, to prevent said guide member from returning therefrom into said longitudinal part other than indirectly through said circumferential and diagonal parts respectively, but permitting said guide member to move laterally directly therefrom into the said circumferential part.

11. In a well apparatus control device, apparatus comprising: inner and outer coaxial cylindrical members rotationally and longitudinally slidable with respect to one another, the inner one of said members being adapted to be connected to fapipe string; a continuous guide slot extending around the outer one of said cylindrical members, said slot having a longitudinal part, a diagonal part branching upwardly from a portion of said longitudinal part below the upper end thereof, and a circumferential part extending between and circumambiently interconnecting the upper adjacent ends of said longitudinal and diagonal-parts; a guide member fixed in the inner one of said cylindrical members and extending slidably into said guide slot, the rotational and longitudinal movement of said coaxial cylindrical members relative to one another being thereby limited to that permitted by movement of said guide member along said guide slot; drag means carried by one of said cylindrical members and coaxially rotatable and longitudinally movable with respect thereto, said drag means being adapted to frictionally engage the inside surface of a surrounding wall; and clutch means on said device engageable to make coupling between said drag means and said outer one of said cylindrical members to resist relative rotation between said drag means and said outer one of said cylindrical members when said outer one of said cylindrical members is moved upward relative to said drag means and to disengage said coupling when said outer cylindrical member is moved downward relative to said drag means.

12. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11 and in which the said clutch means is a one-way device adapted to hold said outer cylindrical member against rotation relative to said drag means in the direction in which said circumferential part of the guide slot extends around said outer one of said cylindrical members from the upper end of the longitudinal part toward the adjacent upper end of the diagonal part of said slot, and to permit rotation of said outer cylindrical member relative to said drag means in the opposite direction.

13. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11, and a one-way latching means in the end of said longitudinal part of said guide slot, adjacent the juncture thereof with said circumferential part, adapted to lock said guide member at the end of said longitudinal part in the entrance of said circumferential part, to prevent said guide member from returning therefrom into said longitudinal part other than indirectly through said circumferential and diagonal parts respectively, but permitting said guide member to move laterally directly therefrom into the said circumferential part.

14. Apparatus in accordance with claim 11, and a one-way latching means in said diagonal part of said guide slot, adapted to allow passage of said guide member throughout said diagonal part in one direction directly from said circumferential part to the intermediate portion of said longitudinal part but preventing retrograde passage of said guide member from said longitudinal part directly through said diagonal part to said circumferential part.

GERHARD MEYER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 13,457 Hovis Aug. 13, 1912 2,005,955 Renouf June 25, 1935 2,389,869 Phipps Nov. 2'7, 1945 2,400,970 Baker May 28, 1946 2,429,910 Anderson et al. Oct. 28, 1947 2,450,822 Baker Oct. 5, 1948 

